UPDATE: The United States has just announced a comprehensive peace plan aimed at resolving Sudan’s nearly three-year-old civil war, set to be revealed this week. This urgent development comes as senior advisor to the US president on Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, confirmed that the plan has received backing from the Quad nations: the US, UK, Norway, and Egypt.
The plan is a crucial response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where more than 21 million people are facing severe food and water shortages. Boulos emphasized that the plan, developed over the past three months, is designed to be acceptable to both the Sudanese army and the breakaway paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“We’ve been working on this comprehensive peace plan that should be acceptable to both sides,” Boulos stated at a recent fundraiser aimed at garnering immediate humanitarian aid for Sudan. He expressed optimism about comments from Sudan’s military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, indicating potential openness to the plan.
The peace initiative comprises five key pillars: addressing the humanitarian crisis, protecting civilians and facilitating their safe return, transitioning to a permanent ceasefire, establishing a political process toward a civilian-led government, and launching a reconstruction fund. Once agreed upon by the warring parties, the plan will be presented to the UN Security Council for international endorsement.
However, Boulos refrained from naming any specific obstacles to the plan’s implementation, despite intense questioning from reporters. The urgency for a resolution is palpable, as violence continues to escalate, with over 150,000 fatalities reported since the breakdown of the power-sharing coalition in April 2023.
In a separate but related announcement, the UAE pledged a significant $500 million aid package for Sudan. However, tensions remain high, particularly regarding the UAE’s role in the peace process, as Sudanese officials have openly rejected any peace proposals involving the UAE, claiming it to be a conflicting party in the civil war.
Boulos also revealed that the US is set to contribute an additional $200 million to aid efforts, bringing total pledges to an anticipated $1.5 billion. This commitment is crucial as humanitarian organizations gear up for intensified relief efforts, targeting visible progress by the start of Ramadan on or around February 18, 2024.
As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring the peace plan’s rollout and its reception by Sudan’s warring factions. The stakes are extraordinarily high, with millions of lives hanging in the balance, and the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
With sentiments echoed by Tom Fletcher, the UN’s emergency relief coordinator, who described the crisis as “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis,” the need for immediate action is clear. The peace plan, once unveiled, could be a pivotal step toward stabilizing Sudan and alleviating the suffering of its people.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds and as the peace plan is officially announced later this week.
